"I never try to overrate or underrate my players," Haskins said. "I try to be honest. I said from Day One we were a contender for the Big Ten title."

Indiana had a 79-72 lead with 58 seconds left when it gave up open shots and couldn't hold on to the ball in the closing seconds. Minnesota guard Sam Jacobsen hit an open three-pointer from the top of the key with 40 seconds left to cut IU's lead to 81-78.

The Gophers' full-court press, which frazzled the Hoosiers all night, got the break it needed. Courtney James intercepted a pass and slapped the ball in the direction of senior guard Bobby Jackson. . He drained another three-pointer, sending the game into overtime.

Then the explosive Gophers (14-1, 3-0) went on an 8-2 run. When Jackson hit a three-point shot as the shot clock expired, to give the Gophers a 92-85 lead, two things became clear. The No. 11 Gophers are for real. And the young Hoosiers (14-3, 1-2) received a lesson they'll likely not forget.

"I was really disappointed in the way we played with an eight-point lead," Indiana coach Bob Knight said. "We played like the game was finished. . . ."

All five Minnesota starters average double figures, and against IU, Jackson had 26 points while sophomore Quincy Lewis chipped in 20 off the bench. Junior Eric Harris added 16.